"The Assembly, under Speaker Silver's leadership, has taken an important step forward by passing legislation that would make evaluations for teachers and principals fairer and more objective. Long after Race to the Top recedes from policy debate, students in New York will benefit by having better prepared, better trained and more fairly evaluated educators in their schools and we applaud the entire Assembly for passing this bill."

NYSUT reached agreement on May 11 with the State Education Department to establish a comprehensive evaluation system for teachers and principals, based on multiple measures that give teachers - through their unions - a strong voice in the evaluation process. The state Senate must still act on the legislation.

NYSUT, the state's largest union, represents more than 600,000 teachers, school-related professionals, academic and professional faculty in higher education, professionals in education and health care and retirees. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and the AFL-CIO.